Cladding element, particularly for wood-block flooring

ABSTRACT

A cladding element, particularly usable for wood-block flooring, for pre-finished hardwood floors and for floors made of laminate of different thicknesses, which is flat and advantageously rectangular and has two first contiguous lateral edges having a first snap-action interconnection element which interacts with a complementarily shaped second interconnection element formed on two second contiguous lateral edges.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a cladding element particularly for woodblock flooring, such as parquet, for pre-finished hardwood floors and floors made of laminate of different thicknesses, for example for the interior of buildings.

[0002] Known types of cladding elements for floors of buildings are currently used which are usually constituted by rectangular panels made of wood.

[0003] A groove and a complementarily shaped tongue are formed respectively along two opposite lateral edges of such cladding elements, so that each cladding element can be associated longitudinally with another one by mating the groove of the former with the tongue of the latter.

[0004] Such cladding elements are arranged side by side, so as to allow their permanent interconnection, preferably by bonding with adhesive.

[0005] A first drawback of this known type of cladding element structure is the fact that the interconnection is ensured exclusively by the presence of the adhesive: accordingly, poor bonding or deterioration over time of the effectiveness of the adhesive causes possible partial disconnection of two adjacent cladding elements.

[0006] Another drawback is due to the fact that said interconnection system is permanent and does not allow to partly or fully disassemble the flooring or to replace one or more cladding elements if they break.

[0007] Another disadvantage occurs if the cladding comes into contact with water or other liquids: in joints where an insufficient amount of adhesive has been used, moisture may in fact seep in the region of the two lateral edges that are in contact.

[0008] Since said cladding elements are usually obtained from particleboard or MDF with a top and bottom veneer provided by bonding two sheets of laminate, the presence of water proximate to the lateral edges, where the material is porous and not impermeable, often causes damage to the cladding elements, since the particlewood that is present tends to become impregnated and swell with water.

[0009] A different known type of cladding element structure partially solves the above mentioned problems by providing a longitudinal and transverse connection between one cladding element and the cladding elements that are adjacent thereto.

[0010] This interconnection occurs by way of the overlap of a first lateral edge, which has a downward L-shaped wing, on a complementary upward L-shaped wing which protrudes from the lateral edge of the next cladding element.

[0011] This cladding element structure has the disadvantage that it allows interconnection, by interposing parts, only on the plane of arrangement of the cladding elements and may require adhesive in order to lock the lower face.

[0012] Accordingly, effective use of this known type of cladding element requires a permanent interconnection, thus losing any of the advantages arising from a detachable interconnection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The aim of the present invention is therefore to solve the problems mentioned above in the prior art, by providing a cladding element, particularly for hardwood flooring blocks, such as parquet, and floors made of pre-finished laminate and wood, which can be easily assembled and disassembled so as to allow optional partial or total replacement of the cladding elements.

[0014] Within this aim, an object is to provide a cladding element which can be assembled effectively and durably.

[0015] Another object of the invention consists in allowing to lay a floor cladding which is aesthetically and structurally valid even if such floor is not perfectly flat but has, as occurs in the case of old renovated houses, a somewhat undulated surface.

[0016] Another object is to provide a cladding element which associates with the preceding characteristics that of being structurally simple and of having low manufacturing costs.

[0017] This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a cladding element, particularly for wood-block flooring, having a rectangular flat shape, characterized in that it has two first contiguous lateral edges which have first snap-action interconnection means which interacts with complementarily shaped second interconnection means formed on two second contiguous lateral edges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the detailed description of some particular but not exclusive embodiments, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0019] FIGS. 1 to 5 are successive side views of the steps of assembly and disassembly of two adjacent cladding elements;

[0020]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cladding element according to the invention;

[0021]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a detail of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 designates a cladding element particularly usable for wood-block flooring, such as parquet.

[0023] The cladding element 1, preferably made of wood, is advantageously flat and rectangular, with an upper face 2 a, usually cladded with an aesthetically valuable material, and a lower face, designated by the reference numeral 2 b, for contact with a floor 3 to be covered.

[0024] The cladding element 1 has two first contiguous lateral edges, 4 a and 4 b, which have a first snap-acting interconnection means which interacts with a complementarily shaped second interconnection means formed on two second contiguous lateral edges, designated by the reference numerals 5 a and 5 b.

[0025] Said first snap-acting interconnection means is conveniently constituted by a tongue 6 which protrudes along each edge of said two first lateral edges 4 a and 4 b and has a triangular shape in side view; a circular protrusion, designated by the reference numeral 7, is formed proximate to its free vertex.

[0026] The second interconnection means is constituted by a groove, designated by the reference numeral 8, which is formed at the second lateral edges 5 a and 5 b.

[0027] Such groove 8 is conveniently shaped complementarily to the tongue 6 and therefore has two converging oblique surfaces 9 a and 9 b which are connected to the lateral surfaces of a cylindrical cavity, designated by the reference numeral 10, adapted to accommodate the protrusion 7.

[0028] The cylindrical cavity 10 is connected to an adjacent slot, designated by the reference numeral 11, which has an approximately squared rectangular shape which is adapted to prevent the cladding, during use, from cracking along the horizontal plane that passes through the groove 8.

[0029] The dimensions of the groove 8 can be advantageously slightly larger than the dimensions of the tongue 6, thus forming a gap, designated by the reference numeral 12, which is advantageously directed toward the lower face 2 b.

[0030] Operation is therefore as follows: FIGS. 1 to 5 illustrate the steps of the mutual assembly (FIGS. 1 and 2) and disassembly (FIGS. 4 and 5) of a first and second cladding elements 1 a and 1 b.

[0031] Assembly is performed by arranging the cladding elements on the floor 3 so that a first lateral edge 4 a, provided with a tongue 6, of the first element 1 a is arranged at the groove 8 of the respective second lateral edge 5 b of the second cladding element 1 b.

[0032] By applying a certain pressure, optionally by means of a mallet struck against the second lateral edge 5 a of the cladding element 1 a that is parallel to the first lateral edge 4 a and is not shown in the figures, the interconnection between the first cladding element 1 a and the second cladding element 1 b is provided.

[0033] Such interconnection is allowed by the partial deformation of the second lateral edge 5 a, which widens temporarily when the protrusion 8 passes beyond the converging oblique surfaces 9 a and 9 b until it is arranged in the complementarily shaped cylindrical cavity 10.

[0034] If it is necessary to disassemble the first cladding element 1 a, it is sufficient, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, to lift the second lateral edge 5 a, not shown in the figures, of the element 1 a, thus forcing the rotation of the first lateral edge 4 a.

[0035] This rotation leads to the disengagement of the protrusion 7 from the cylindrical cavity 10 and to the consequent separation of the first element 1 a from the second element 1 b.

[0036] The particular cylindrical shape of said protrusion 7 and the presence of the gap 12 allow the first and second elements 1 a and 1 b, which are interconnected, to perform a slight oscillation about the axis that passes through said protrusion 7.

[0037] This characteristic allows the cladding according to the invention to adapt to the flatness defects that are often present in floors of buildings, particularly in renovated buildings.

[0038] It has thus been observed that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects, a cladding element particularly suitable for wood-block floorings and pre-finished laminate and wood floors having been provided which can be assembled and disassembled easily and quickly, allowing optional subsequent partial or complete replacement of said cladding elements.

[0039] The invention is of course susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0040] The materials used, as well as the dimensions that constitute the individual components of the invention, may of course be more pertinent according to requirements.

[0041] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. TV2000A000124 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cladding element, particularly for wood-block flooring, having a rectangular flat shape, comprising two first contiguous lateral edges; two second continuous lateral edges; first snap-action interconnection means provided at said first contiguous lateral edges and second interconnection means formed on said two second contiguous lateral edges, said second interconnection means being shaped complementarily to said first snap-action interconnection means to interact therewith for mutual interconnection.
 2. The cladding element of claim 1, wherein interconnection between a first edge of said two first lateral edges of a first cladding element and a second edge of said two second lateral edges of a second cladding element allows a slight oscillation along an interconnection axis.
 3. The cladding element of claim 2, wherein said first snap-acting interconnection means is constituted by a tongue which protrudes along each edge of said two first lateral edges and has a triangular lateral profile, with a circular protrusion being formed proximate to a free vertex thereof.
 4. The cladding element of claim 3, wherein said second interconnection means is constituted by a groove formed at each one of said two second lateral edges.
 5. The cladding element of claim 4, wherein said groove is shaped complementarily to said tongue comprising two converging oblique surfaces connected to lateral surfaces of a cylindrical cavity adapted to accommodate said protrusion.
 6. The cladding element of claim 5, wherein said groove further comprises a slot provided adjacent to said cylindrical cavity and connected thereto, said adjacent slot being preferably rectangular and adapted to ensure greater resistance to cracking along a horizontal plane that passes through said groove.
 7. The cladding element of claim 6, wherein said groove is slightly larger than said tongue, so as to form a gap between said first and second cladding elements.
 8. The cladding element of claim 7, wherein said gap, which is directed toward the lower faces of said first and second cladding elements, is adapted to facilitate uncoupling thereof.
 9. A method for mutually assembling a first cladding element and a second cladding element for covering a floor, comprising the steps of: arranging said first and second cladding elements on the floor so that a first lateral edge provided with a tongue of said first cladding element is arranged at a groove of a respective second lateral edge of said second cladding element; interconnecting said first and second cladding elements by inserting a cylindrical protrusion formed at the free end of said tongue in a complementarily shaped cylindrical cavity formed in said groove.
 10. The assembly method of claim 9, wherein the interconnecting step between said first and second cladding elements is carried out by way of a forcing action which is performed by acting on a separate second lateral edge of said first cladding element being parallel and opposite with respect to said first lateral edge.
 11. The assembly method of claim 10, wherein said forcing action step is performed by using a tool, such as a mallet, which is struck against said second lateral edge of said first cladding element.
 12. The assembly method of claim 11, wherein said interconnecting step is carried out by partial deformation of said second lateral edge, which widens temporarily when said protrusion passes within said groove.
 13. A method for disassembling a first cladding element from a second cladding element for covering a floor, which are assembled as set forth in claim 9, comprising the step of lifting of said second lateral edge of said first cladding element so as to turn said first cladding element about said protrusion of said tongue. 